In the Spotlight... Coach of the Year Award Winner and Runners-up

Today British Orienteering is proud to shine the spotlight on...

British Orienteering Peter Palmer Coach of the Year Award Winner

This award celebrates the varied roles played and the achievements made by coaches over the year. 

Congratulations to Pete Maliphant (Bristol Orienteering Klub) who, with great enthusiasm, encourages and supports the development of individuals in the South West Junior Squad.

Pete has been an amazing coach over the period of the pandemic organising weekly zoom sessions covering a range of subjects, from fitness to navigational techniques. These sessions connected, motivated, and encouraged the squad members to continue running and look forward to training days. Pete has also introduced many new members to the squad and is helping them to improve. The fact that SWJOS had their best result at the JIRCs for at least 30 years had a great deal to do with Pete’s hard work.  

Many congratulations Pete!

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Other notable nominations for Coach of the Year are...

Kirsten Strain (Auld Reekie Orienteering Society) and Harriet Lawson (Octavian Droobers) for the fantastic job they have done in developing the skills of juniors within the West Midland Junior Squad. The sessions Kirsten and Harriet deliver are interesting, informative, and great fun, focusing on skills development and planning training to meet the needs of individual squad members. Juniors have grown not only in their confidence to compete in orienteering but also in their self-confidence and self-esteem, forging new friendships and a passion for the sport.      

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Stephanie Pruzina (Lagan Valley Orienteers). During the lockdown, Steph went about connecting the Northern Ireland Juniors through Zoom coaching sessions, using her skills and other coaches to provide technical training. When able to get together she immediately put on coaching to prepare for the junior competitions over the summer and ultimately the JIRS which NI are hosting later this year. To support the NI Junior's experience of more challenging terrain and competition, Steph arranged travel and accommodation for the Juniors at the JHI. She also drove a minibus load of Juniors over to the JIRCs in Middlesborough and to the Hawkshead training camp - Steph’s energy and enthusiasm seems endless. 

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Thank you to all who submitted nominations for British Orienteering's Annual Awards this year. 

Many congratulations all!

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This afternoon, British Orienteering will be shining the spotlight on the winner and runners-up of The Development and Innovation Award at 14:00.